Study french in Canada: everything you need to know

As we mentioned earlier, french is the official language of Quebec, New Brunswick, and Manitoba. In Canada, 23% of the population, about 7.7 million people, speak french. In these provinces, all public media, such as television, radio, and the transportation system, use French to communicate, so you’ll be able to go about your daily life in this language and become more comfortable with it more quickly.

Canada boasts a public education system that consistently ranks among the top in the world in terms of universities and study quality.

Furthermore, for years, Canada has been a perfect host country that welcomes international students to enjoy the educational offerings of the country. This means that the student experience is well-developed, with a multitude of accommodation, leisure, work, and transportation options designed exclusively for students.

Canada’s colonial history has resulted in a country where everyone is welcome and that, for generations, many have chosen as their new home.

Here, 21% of the inhabitants are expatriates who now live in peace and harmony, fully integrated into society, bringing a unique flavor and color to Canadian local culture.

If you enjoy languages and like picking up new words before going to bed, you’re in luck in Canada. In addition to English and French, more than 200 languages are spoken! Yes, Spanish is the third most spoken unofficial language in the country, behind Punjabi (spoken in India and Pakistan) and Chinese.

This great linguistic diversity will help you learn French better and faster, as it will force you to communicate in French and, at the same time, you’ll be less hesitant to speak since you’ll know that everyone is doing their best in a language that’s not their own.

The quality of life in a country is measured by evaluating different factors, such as safety, levels of social and environmental awareness, excellence of the education system, opportunities, work-life balance, and the effectiveness of public healthcare. And did you know that Canada scores very well in all these areas?

Life in Canada is enjoyable. Day-to-day life is stress-free, as Canadian society is accustomed to being heard and valued by its government.

Even outside the cities, the quality is exceptional. Canada boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Its color-changing forests with the seasons, majestic mountains, and thick layer of perpetual snow make this cold country a delightful place for mountain excursions, sledding races, ice hockey games, and spending a couple of days at some of the best ski resorts in the world. In Canada, you’ll have plenty of places to see and sports to engage in.

No life experience is complete without a great group of friends who turn any moment into a historic one. By studying French in Canada, you’ll have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world with whom you’ll share countless new experiences that will bind you for life.

At Dingoos, we understand how lonely the beginnings in a new place can be. That’s why when you come to study French in Canada with us, we’ll connect you with other students like you so you have a group of friends to share your adventures in Canada right from the start.

Studying French in Canada says a lot of positive things about you. It not only means you speak the language but also demonstrates that you’re a person with initiative, unafraid of change, adaptable, and capable of taking care of yourself. And those qualities are highly sought after in the job market!

Because not every day do you pack your bags, buy a plane ticket, and cross the pond to learn a new language in a completely new country. And that’s how the best movies start! Studying and living in Canada is one of those films you’re eager to watch as soon as the trailer is released on YouTube, filled with unforgettable scenes.

Intensive French courses last between 2 weeks and 3 months. Their programs, taught by native teachers, are focused on preparing students with all the basics of both spoken and written language, while also developing listening and reading skills, in the shortest time possible.

These courses are ideal for quickly gaining confidence in French, and since they last less than 6 months, you can study them with a tourist visa.

General French courses last from 3 months to 2 years. During this time, you’ll thoroughly learn the language, achieving optimal proficiency and understanding in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

These courses can be started at any level. On the first day of class, you’ll take a simple level test and be placed in a group with other students at your level. As you learn, you’ll progress through levels and be able to move on to preparation classes for official exams that certify your French level.

If you’re looking to demonstrate a specific level of French to enhance your CV and access more job and study opportunities in Canada, this is the course for you. The duration ranges from 4 to 16 weeks, during which you’ll be prepared to achieve a high score on one of the official French exams, such as DELF, TEFAQ, or TFI..

These courses are designed to help you acquire the required skills in both of Canada’s official languages. You’ll start by studying English for a period of time and then transition to studying French until you reach your desired level.

This doesn’t appear in the movies, but great adventures start with a bunch of paperwork. So, your journey in Canada will begin this way too!

To apply for a student visa, you’ll need to gather the following documentation:

• Valid passport with at least 6 months of validity.
• 6 color passport-sized photos.
• Provide biometric data.
• Acceptance letter from the institution you’ve enrolled in, certified by the Canadian government.
• Demonstrate sufficient savings to cover your expenses in Canada (around $833 CAD per month).
• Pay the visa fees, which amount to $150 CAD for all of Canada, except for Quebec, where it’s slightly cheaper at $111 CAD.

If you’re going to study in Quebec, you’ll need to add one more requirement to this list:

• Certificate of Acceptance in Quebec (CAQ).

Although it’s not a complicated process, applying for a student visa requires obtaining and submitting a lot of documents within the appropriate timelines to ensure your visa approval. At Dingoos, we have a Visa Experts Department staffed by certified professionals who will assist you in gathering all the documentation and applying for your student visa completely free of charge. This way, you can save yourself the headaches of paperwork and calmly prepare for your new Canadian adventure. If you prefer, we can also refer you to an immigration lawyer to handle your student visa application.

Yes, there are courses that combine both languages. Get in touch with us, and we’ll inform you about the options that best suit you.

French courses in Canada can last from 2 weeks to as long as you want.

The difference lies in the type of visa you need to apply for, depending on the course duration. If it’s less than 6 months, you can do it with a tourist visa or a Work and Holiday visa. If it’s more than 6 months, you’ll need to apply for a student visa.

If you choose to come with a student visa, you can combine your French course with a Vocational Training course. This way, you can legally work part-time during the course and full-time during vacation periods and, if applicable, during the course’s practical training.

Courses are available for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Don’t worry, on the first day of class, you’ll take a brief level test to determine your French proficiency and be placed in a suitable group.

To be eligible for a student visa, you must be enrolled in a course lasting more than 24 weeks.

Classes are held from Monday to Friday, and you can choose between morning and afternoon shifts.

The “Francisation en ligne” (FEL) platform by the Quebec Government allows individuals looking to immigrate to Quebec to learn french for free.

To be eligible for this financial aid, you must take at least 4 hours of French classes per week.

If you choose to come with a student visa, you can combine your French course with a Vocational Training course. This way, you can legally work part-time during the course and full-time during vacation periods and, if applicable, during the course’s practical training.

The DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) ranges from level A1 to B2. However, since you’ll only earn immigration points for Quebec starting from a B2 level, you should take the DELF B2 and NOT a DELF B1, A2, or A1.